New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-13

conviction was at last forcing itself the public
mindn Not q whisper-nay, l believe, not Q
thOught-of such n solution OF the mystery hao
passed in the station
7 remembered the dry voice of Colonel Jack that
nrbt assuring me that she was quite safe'-and
an honcstcr and less i'll naturcd man than the
Colonel did not breathe. / understood IL now nc
had been IiciOus from the ilrst.
The extraordinary story of Mrs. IlumV. 10
which she still adhered, dumbfoundcd her lest
friends That, after the fire had started. her
husband was dressed in his out-of-door ciothcs'
helmet and all-that he attempted to stronglc her
in her bed. and was frightened from his fell pur-
nose by her shrcking-and that then he went
back to his chamber and lay down on the bed to
lie roasted aIivc-it was incredibc. And YET
there was not symptom of mental weakness
about her. DR.. Ransford, one OF her warnest
friends. saw her several times. and was positive
her mind was as clear as his She was under
no delusion. Yet who could attempt TO explain
such q story as she tOld :
have endcavored to keep myself in the back
ground whilst relating this narrative. L thlhK
too that during those exciting days was the least
demonstrativc man in Jullabad. The reason was
that | could not trust myself For months the
image of that d.fcnccess and unhappy wife had
haunted me- II was incXplicablc TO myself, but
none the less the fact, that the white UNCONSCIOUS
face that lay my shoulder that night III the
garden was constantly present TO me ike a sleht
reproach. / often think that, if matters had gone
on in that bungalow much longer as they were,
should at last have ended Colonel Humbys lie
with my own hand. | could not have borne the
contcmp aton Of that poor girl being slowly ana
surely done 10 her death" l had seen her IN
brighter days when, in lovely youth ana gay
innocence she looked nearly akin to the angels no
one else in Jullabad had so seen and known her:
The horrible imputation Of her possible quit
| could not endure with patience; L bore IL lor Il
day or So until | witnessed the fearful fascination
which it exercised over peoples minds, and then
fl.st
! in Mrs IIumbys vindcation
! The rumOr went round one afternoon that she
was making preparations to leave lndla at chcc,
II was quite crcdbc-fOr what means had she OF
defending herself? The moment | heard IT lie
termined 10 do my utmost to dissuade the ttor
crrI from so fatal step | went straiyh; TO th"t
| lovelie>t and best Of women. who WAS at the same
time the friend and idol of every young fellow III
the station-Lady OlIcilly i saw her at once
explained my business and asked her advice.
You are entirely right, Mr. Everest; she must
not be allowed to co. was the prompt reply
stop her from doing if you can; and should
You fail come to again. may he able to help
YOU
Il think lawyer ought to le retained in her
interests. Lady OIicily.'
"CcrtainIv There is Mr. Marlcson, the barrister, !
an excellent man. Have you money enough to
retain him."
The question awakened me to new aspect Of /
the business. But there was no occasion JOE
l
frankly. looking straight into her blue eyes: L
am unfortunately the poorest man in the station
| have an invalid mother and sister at home TO
support But money will not be wanting L
am connlcnt; every fellow in Juilau"d VIII
contribute freely il nccc>Sary
Go and see her, Mr.. Everest said the IadN
after a pause: and later on You can engage
tie lawyer. shall expect call from you again
this evening
Thus fortified by Lady OReilly's approval OF |
what yurposcd doin" directed my steps TO the !
hunoalow Of Colonel Jack. the magistrate. l felt /
nervous upon approaching Mrs. llumby on 50
delicate a mission. for although her image and her
sorrows filled 81 much Of my being. | was yet |
comparative stranger to her. did not even /
know whether she had any remembrance OF seeing /
me couple Of years before at M'hton'-"rN /
knowledge that Il Was who had borne her in my |
arms mp the garden that night-whether' in fact' |
WAS less stranger to her than the other young /
men Of Jullalad. What expression would her |
eyes assume when presented myself ieIorc her
with the mission which had taken uUon me?
Is ! drew near | was clad 10 observe colonel |
Jack sitting alone in the vcranda. He evil !
IDENTIFY regarded IN" with some interest rs ap |
preached. was a little embarrassed by his at"h
ton but walked up rs Indifferent as could.
How dye do, Colon"l-Mr,. Jack is well,
trust?7
VERY well. Mr. Everest thank YOU Take a
chair Will you drink anything"
Thanks, no" sat down hardly knowing
iu~li'N>--lt
F specially 10 little business Of mine. Bat the
Colonel looked cNpcctant aS though he clearly
OWNED had not called ont Of mere courtesy.
Colonel jack. said. lidgcting. e" it may seem
no particular concern OF mine. but some one
was bound in duty TO take IL mp. | refer to this
terrible charge which has been inSinuatcd against
Mrs IIumhy She has nobody 10 defend her
If she has any friends observed the Colonel |
quietly. they are far away just now This |
might mean two things.
she has plenty Of friends in Jullahad.' re
piled, "who are willing to help her if they can /
see a way to do 80. We will take up her cause /
for her"
That's very chi,alrou,-vcrv proper said
the Colonel
1T is rumorcd that shc is thinking Of re-
turning t. England. i that SOP"
Colonel Jacks voice was exactly what il was
the night Of the fire II don't know what she
thinks. poor thing: but She is not going Eng
laud-lcl" lie turned his face, and | followed
his glance with cold horror; at door in the
vcranda | saw native policeman. Mrs. llumby
was prisoner!
TO be Co,tnttcdJ
PiRAPHRtNE IRON BERINGER.
bar
fI..tv l..t. ham n md